Jan Lundgren from Sweden and guitarist Yamandu Costa from Brazil might seem an unlikely pairing, the combination of guitar and piano is fraught with difficulty. But the collaborative affinity and chemistry of this duo are something truly exceptional. “For Yamandu Costa, the guitar is a natural extension of his body and soul,” a San Francisco critic has observed. He plays with an elegance, harmonic fluidity and a deep knowledge of Latin American music. Jan Lundgren has made a major contribution to the European jazz of the past two decades, not least through his role in the Mare Nostrum trio. Such are the virtues which Costa and Lundgren bring to their new endeavour.

The pair first met in Malmö in 2019, had dinner together and found an instant affinity. As they got to know each other they listened to each other’s music, both finding a genuine enthusiasm for the music of the other. That eventually led Lundgren to ask “shall we do something together?” The duo’s first concert took place in Stockholm in early 2023. The good experience led them to arrange more concerts.. and then to book dates for a recording. After a few days at the ACT Art Gallery, the duo headed to Emil Berliner studios for just a day and a half of recording in February 2024.

“Inner Spirits” is an album in which the astonishing dovetailing of the two voices, the constant process of swapping roles from lead voice to secon[1]dary voice is always magically organic.Their affinity comes at least in part from their similar interest in the sharing of melody: “That is where we find each other and why we like each other,” says Lundgren. And Costa says: “We play original music. I believe that in this way we can have something sincere and really true to our purposes.” Jan Lundgren and Yamandu Costa’s winning combination of empathy, mutual respect and jaw-dropping musicianship has produced a beautiful sounding album. “Inner Spirits” is set to earn its place as one of the very great piano-and-guitar albums.